Scotland make the trip to Krakow to face Ukraine in the UEFA Nations League knowing that a draw will be enough to earn promotion to the top tier of this competition.

However, Ukraine will take that spot in League A if they prevail against opponents who they are meeting for the third time in as many months.

Match preview

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When Scotland recorded just one win in five matches earlier in the year, Steve Clarke would have had concerns that their previous momentum and resolve was starting to disappear.

Nevertheless, their last three outings have told a different story, two comeback wins being recorded with nine goals netted in the process.

At one stage, it appeared that the Tartan Army would drop points against Republic of Ireland on Saturday evening, but goals from Jack Hendry and Ryan Christie ensured that they posted a potentially-crucial 2-1 victory.

Not only do Clarke's side make the journey to Poland - a neutral venue due to Russia's military invasion of Ukraine - full of confidence, they do so knowing that avoiding defeat to a team which they dominated as recently as Wednesday will prove enough to move into games with European football's elite.

Although there will naturally be concerns with how Scotland may fare on the back of two intense matches in quick succession, each of their last five goals have been scored in the second half.

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While Ukraine have also encountered the same timetable, they are well set to benefit from having breezed past Armenia on Saturday afternoon.

Oleksandr Petrakov's team coasted to a 5-0 success, three of those strikes coming before the 70th minute to allow Ukraine to cruise through the closing stages.

From their last 15 outings, Ukraine have only suffered defeat on two occasions, each of those losses coming against British opposition in Wales and Tuesday's opponents.

Nevertheless, Ukraine were deserved victors when they beat Scotland at Hampden Park in their World Cup playoff tie in June, evidence that they are capable of rising to the occasion in a one-off match.

Team News

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Ukraine will have to make do without Serhii Sydorchuk after the midfielder collected his second yellow card of the competition in Armenia.

Petrakov must decide whether to recall Taras Stepanenko or Oleksandr Pikhalyonok in the centre of the pitch, but numerous changes are expected given the players that were rested at the weekend.

Mykola Matviyenko, Oleksandr Karavaev, Ruslan Malinovskyi, Andriy Yarmolenko, Mykhaylo Mudryk and Artem Dovbyk are all in contention for recalls.

Scott McTominay's late booking against Republic of Ireland sees the Manchester United midfielder suspended for this contest.

Kenny McLean or Billy Gilmour are expected to come into the team, while Clarke also needs to replace each of Scott McKenna and Kieran Tierney, who have withdrawn from the squad.

The uncapped Ryan Porteous and left-back Greg Taylor are likely to deputise in their places.

Ukraine possible starting lineup:
Lunin; Zabarnyi, Kryvtsov, Matviyenko; Karavaev, Stepanenko, Ignatenko, Mykolenko; Yarmolenko, Dovbyk, Mudryk

Scotland possible starting lineup:
Gordon; Hickey, Hendry, McKenna, Tierney; McLean, McGregor; Armstrong, McGinn, Christie; Adams

We say: Ukraine 1-1 Scotland

Both teams will be confident of claiming their desired result on Tuesday evening, belief which should set up a thrilling encounter. Ukraine's players will feel more rested given that they coasted past Armenia, but we feel that Scotland will show the heart and desire to scrap their way to an all-important point.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

Written by
Darren Plant

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